BMX pro opens Big Niles Brewing

Former professional BMX rider Cam White is set to open his own brewery in Dalmeny, NSW.

Having made a career out of his passion for BMX riding, White, who got into homebrewing around six years ago, has now decided to turn another hobby into a career, founding Big Niles Brewing, named after his dog – an 60 kilo American bulldog called Big Niles, that White brought back from Las Vegas.

“It’s definitely a completely different
ball game,” White told Beer & Brewer. “I thought I’d jump head-first
into this.”
White bought a house on the edge of the industrial area in the south coast
town, which had a big shed to the rear with its own separate entry. He saw an
opportunity to start a brewery and so went to the council to ask if he could
purchase it and subsequently turn it into a brewery.

“They were pretty on board with it,
which was good. It’s been a 12-month process to get the approval through. It just
takes time. All the equipment is installed and ready to go now. I just have to
finalise a few things with council trade waste, stuff like that. Minor
paperwork and then I’m set to start brewing.”

Big Niles Brewery is a 500 litre, three vessel
brewhouse, with three fermenters and one bright tank. White will mostly be
kegging out his beers for sale in the tap room, which White intends to expand.

“The area that I have is quite big. The
council have bene quite strict with numbers, but I’m going to work on getting
more numbers, adding car parks and toilets and stuff like that. I’ve applied
for an on-premise licence as well, so I sell beers from other breweries, which
is a big thing. I want to promote this area.

“The scene is definitely getting bigger (here) which is great. More breweries pop up all around, we’re supporting local business. Everyone brews different styles and different flavour beers. It’s not like competition. We’ve got Humpback in Tathra, you’ve got Long Stocking, you’ve got Camel Rock, you’ve got Cubitt wineries and they’ve got a brewery in Ulladulla. You’ve got Laggan Brewing Co. I’ve been talking with Evan from Laggan because he’s got the same equipment as me, so he’s been my encyclopaedia throughout the install.”

Big Niles Brewing will have six beers on
tap as part of its core range, including two light lagers, an American-style
pale ale – White’s “favourite style of beer” – and an IPA. Beyond that,
seasonal beer will also be available, but with a strong American focus.

“From all my years in American, I love
the American-style beers,” says White. “I love hoppy beers and I’m going to
have the full spectrum down here. A lot of people down here aren’t used to
drinking craft beer all the time, they’re not going to be coming in and trying
an IPA. I’ll work their way up!”